1976 Lotus Elite driving review and road test

I do a review and road test of my Lotus Type 75 Elite on a drive in the countryside and talk about why it was so far ahead of its time.

[GrandThriftAuto]

Of course the Europa and Elan used engines from Renault and Ford respectively, not the other way round. Sorry that came out backwards.

Also, note that the 100 left on the road is a UK number - about half of the 2, 500 made were exported, mainly to the US.

[Rjhs]

Two words...love it. Chapman was a genius. I know, it's an often used and possibly trite comment but let's face it, he was.

[dgs]

I remember the 504 Elite - my Father lusted after one and we used to go to the Lotus Showroom a LOT! I think the 504 was the top of the line/luxury model, I used to have all the Lotus brochures. The 70s were a wonderful time for F1/Cars in general despite the oil crisis.

[nigelhunt]

My dream car ever since I had a corgi model

[matrixsenior]

I fell in love with these cars when I first saw one on the cover of the Observer book of cars in about 1976. I am hoping to retire in the next four years and I would very much like to purchase one of these amazing cars with which to drive into the sunset 🌇. Of course with my observer book in my pocket.

[simonshrouder]

Just want to say a big thank you for your excellent review of this important British car. Like you, I was a little boy who fell in love with this car when it appeared. Later in life, for a brief period I owned a 503 and loved it but it struggled to complete many journeys and had probably seen better days. When it was good though, it was very very good. The kids loved those bucket seats - I loved the feedback through the mechanicals and the perfect optics of the raked windscreen - not to mention those pop-up headlamps and the knowledge that I was driving motoring history. I have seen another one now - an immaculate one I am really lusting after - but it may not come my way...I loved your other You Tube piece on the history of the car - beautifully done - first class journalism. You have a new fan.

[MrMightyytau]

With the resurgence of LOTUS, This series will come into their own.

[craigsmith]

top trumps supercars..one of my favourites. nice to see someone with one who sees it for how an amazing a car it is.

[SERGIODALESIO-gc]

I had a yellow 503, late 80s, bought for @2k, after falling for them when they came out in the 70s, I did have some work to do..great driving experience, always an Event to drive one of these, in a good way, that is..super cool ride, but in my opinion, not that fast, I reckon they had about 130 real world bhp from that 2 litre engine, I did have an 80s 2.2 Eclat as well, a very well sorted car, with a great engine, albeit for a 2.2. Its all about the easy light handling, and cornering, and that awesome Lamborghini Espada type interior!

[mrkeopele]

I HAD A 1977 ECLAT, and never liked the body of the Elite until watching you drive this one!! at the end i said to myself, I should have got the Elite!! great ride thank you

[AdamOrban]

I own a 79.. Underrated, undervalued, and forgotten cars in my opinion) Great video btw!

[steve]

These cars are the reason I feel in love with Lotus. Between 1976 and 1984 my father owned 2 Elites and 1 Éclat when I was a young lad. I was the coolest kid when I was dropped off at school in them. They are now reason I'm on my 9th Lotus, an Evora

Unfortunately my father is no longer around anymore so when I see the interior shots when your driving the car and hear the engine note just brings back some great memories for
Thank you...😉

[briandouglas]

I grew up in California, USA, in the small suburban town of Glendora, which is nestled up against the foothills of the San Bernardino mountains on the eastern edge of Los Angeles county. When I was in High School, there was a professor at our local University that liked his exotic performance cars. At various times, he had a Maserati Merak and two Lotus Elites of the type in this video. Later, I learned from a girl in choir that his son (her former boyfriend) had somehow rolled one of the Elites. At the time, he was wearing a yellow Lotus T-shirt with the famous logo on the front. In the accident, the shirt became saturated with some amount of his blood. The girl told me he had saved the shirt and hung it on his bedroom wall. That happened in 1976 or so.

I've always admired the Elite. I've only ever seen those two and possibly one or two more when I was able to tour England and Scotland in either 1976 or 1981. Nothing has ever looked like it or had that special dynamic grace one can see as it moves through the world. Lotus was quite something, back then.

[grayfool]

Fascinating cars. As a weekend driver it makes a lot of sense. Certainly different and waaaay more desirable than any Capri.

[stuarthannay]

I have only found your channel today, and I cannot believe how high the production quality is. I have a lot of catching up to do. Many thanks.

[pellcio]

I am one of the lucky ones to own this car. Mine is a 1975 Federal spec., in Fiesta Red It was a 503 but I converted it to 502 spec with a manual rack, saving some 40 lbs at the front. Unfortunately I also have the Federal bumpers and Stromberg carbs, which I'll be changing soon. It definitely turns heads. Welcome to the "Elite" club.

[sammythewhammy]

At some point, not to far away. I reckon that this channel is going to absolutely explode in popularity! Edit: have found two abandoned in my town alongside an Excel SE!

[bobolulu]

I own 3 Lotus's and I now have one of these. Its in the situation of a full restoration but from what I have driven of it, its a brilliant bit of engineering for the generation.

[bobupen]

As a schoolboy in the 70s none of us lusted after one of these, too much of a weird shape. The Elan yes, and the Espirit obviously. I take your points regarding the power to weight ratio, very impressive for the time, and she may be great to drive. There's a reason why they are comparatively cheap though 🙂

[citizenerased]

Assuming I would fit in, I would love one! The blue looks great too!